Page 158 of The Bond That Burns

“Don’t,” I growled, stepping a little closer. “Don’t you dare bring Desdemona into this. You won’t like how that goes.”

“Oh, really? And you’ll do what?” Viktor snapped. “Kill me? Impossible. Overstep just once and I’ll make sure your mother dies screaming. As for Aenia, if she’s found, I’ll have her dealt with accordingly.”

“You wouldn’t.” But even as I spoke, I knew better. His men were already looking for my sister. I thought of Rodriguez and the plan for tonight. Fuck. Double fuck. I was trapped. I had to get back to Bloodwing—and soon.

I turned away. Tomorrow, I’d go searching for Aenia myself. I had my own people. I’d set them all looking. We’d find her before my uncle could. And this time, I’d learn my damnedlesson and keep her somewhere Viktor would never think to look for her. She’d be out of his control completely. I’d never have to worry about this again.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

I stopped in my tracks. “Aenia. I thought...”

“You thought I made you come out here simply to discuss your foulblood creation?”

“Don’t fucking call her that,” I snarled turning back to face him. “Well? What do you want? Why did you summon me?”

His lips curved. “The rider. I want her to be brought to me later tonight. When the ball ends, you will escort her to the Black Keep. She’ll be kept here for the foreseeable future. She and I need to have a conversation about her progress with Nyxaris.”

I stared. He wasn’t talking about progress. He was planning to do the soul-binding ritual. This couldn’t be happening. Not tonight.

“Tonight’s the ball. Or had you forgotten? She’s occupied. I’ll tell her but I doubt she’ll be able to meet tonight.” I started turning away again. “And have you forgotten? She’s in House Avari now.”

“You’ll bring her here tonight and that’s an order,” my uncle snapped, his tone laced with finality. “How many times do I need to remind you of the consequences of disobedience? Does your mother really mean so little to you?”

The second mention of my mother sent a spear of white-hot rage piercing through me. I was trying to hold it together, but my body was intent on rebelling. My breath caught as I felt thefamiliar prickle, the warning signs of something I couldn’t yet control taking shape inside. My skin itched. The heat in my veins began to build.

“Well, well,” my uncle murmured. “What’s this now?”

His eyes were on my hands. I yanked them behind my back, but it was too late. I’d already seen the crimson scales. I could feel them, spreading up my wrists like wildfire.

“Step forward,” Viktor commanded.

I stayed put.

“I said step forward.” His voice was like steel.

Before I could fully process the command, my legs moved of their own accord, dragging me closer. He was using thrallweave on me. I hadn’t even had a chance to try to block him out. But fortunately or unfortunately for me, he wasn’t interested in searching my mind. He was more interested in my body.

His presence was suffocating. His will was a cage I couldn’t seem to escape. My instincts were screaming at me to fight back, but the pressure he exuded was overwhelming.

As I moved closer, he reached out with preternatural speed, seizing my wrist in an iron grip. I winced as his fingers tightened, nearly crushing the bones beneath the spreading scales. He yanked my hand up into the light. “How long has this been happening?”

“Not long. It’s nothing,” I said, gritting my teeth and willing the scales to disappear. “Just a rash.”

There was no way I was bringing Pendragon to him. Not tonight. Not any night. We’d have to leave Bloodwing. Get awaysomewhere he couldn’t find us. But she’d never agree to leave Florence. And the thought of leaving Theo to Viktor’s evils filled me with trepidation.

“Don’t lie to me, boy,” he hissed, his grip still tightening like a vise. “How long?” His eyes glinted with something dark and hungry.

I suddenly understood. I jerked my hand free. “Why don’t you tell me?”

Viktor’s red eyes narrowed as his lips formed an infuriating smirk. “If you don’t understand by now, you never will.”

I stared at him, not wanting to ask the question, but knowing I had to. “How did my father die?”

He waved a hand. “You know the sad tale just as well as everyone else in this family.”

“Suicide,” I said coldly. “Only that was a lie.”

Viktor gave a sharp laugh. “Oh, Blake. So quick to jump to conclusions. If only your father had been so spirited. Perhaps he’d still be alive.”

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